Our first multiple bye round of 2013 is upon us, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to gain for Dream Team coaches. Head-to-head players won’t have games this weekend, but will need to make some tough calls on the players that are in the Origin teams, while overall players start to make the big moves.
Each Wednesday, we’ll take a look at the teams named and give you the rundown on what this means for the wonderful world of Dream Team.
Bulldogs v Dragons - ANZ Stadium 7:45pm 31/5/13
The Bulldogs have again made just one change to their side again following their 24-14 victory over the Broncos, with Josh Morris ($230,400) missing with Origin duties. Drury Low ($126,500) comes into the squad on the wing, with Mitch Brown ($128,500) slotting into the centres. Josh Jackson ($282,800) also gains a starting spot in the second row, with Tony Williams ($253,000) missing through injury, and Tim Browne ($127,700) retains his spot on the bench.
St George Illawarra are forced into two changes, with Brett Morris ($214,400) and Trent Merrin ($402,300) in the NSW squad. Matt Prior ($239,600) returns in the centres, shifting Jason Nightingale ($284,800) back to the wing, while Tyson Frizell ($239,900) takes Merrin’s spot at lock. Leeson Ah Mau ($217,700) is on the bench, alongside Cameron King ($143,200), with Mitch Rein ($311,100) back starting at hooker. It also might be time to bring in fullback Josh Dugan ($365,000), who dropped by $7,300 last week, but has a very achievable break-even of 26 this week.
Rabbitohs v Knights - ANZ Stadium 7:30pm 1/6/13
The Rabbitohs have made a number of changes, with players missing through Origin duty. Greg Inglis ($435,000), Ben Te’o ($302,000) and Chris McQueen ($231,000) have all been named to represent Queensland, with Nathan Merritt ($148,200) moving to fullback, and Ben Lowe ($203,800) and Nathan Peats ($118,300) starting in the second row. Dave Tyrrell ($169,900) will start at prop, shifting George Burgess ($379,000) back to the bench, however that hasn’t impacted his scores heavily before. Justin Hunt ($194,100) and Jeff Lima ($213,000) join the bench, while Dylan Walker ($101,600) is playing his third game in the centres with a break-even of -16.
The Knights have made a number for forced changes, with three players on Origin duty or injured. Aku Uate ($219,600) is out with a rib injury, replaced by Peter Mata’utia ($127,700) on the wing, while Jeremy Smith ($294,900) returns from suspension at lock. Kurt Gidley ($299,900) and Darius Boyd ($244,600) are also missing, as Travis Waddell ($169,800) starts at hooker, Kevin Naiqama ($296,000), and Adam Clydsdale ($101,600) finds a spot on the bench. Neville Costigan ($179,700) has been dropped to NSW Cup.
Titans v Cowboys - Skilled Park 3:00pm 2/6/13
The Titans welcome Dave Taylor ($297,300) back to their side after he sat out last week, despite getting off his dangerous contact charge. He will start in the back row alongside Mark Minichiello ($264,100) and Luke O’Dwyer ($179,700) as Nate Myles ($339,800), Greg Bird ($290,100) and Ashley Harrison ($266,800) all miss the game with Origin duties. Luke Douglas ($338,500) will start in the front row, with Jamie Dowling ($127,700) coming onto the bench alongside Mark Ioane ($127,700), who is playing his third game with a break even of 6, and Sam Irwin ($124,600).
There are changes aplenty at the Cowboys, with Matt Bowen ($194,800) and Gavin Cooper ($268,500) both injured, and Johnathan Thurston ($327,800), Brent Tate ($187,500), James Tamou ($324,400) and Matt Scott ($309,300) on Origin duty. Clint Greenshields ($171,900) comes into the side at fullback, while Kalifa Faifai Loa ($166,900) starts on the wing, pushing Antonio Winterstein ($186,000) into the centres. Michael Morgan ($236,300) will partner Robert Lui ($159,900) in the halves, with Scott Bolton ($225,600) and Ashton Sims ($162,900) starting in the front row. Jason Taumalolo ($254,000), Ricky Thorby ($148,400) and Joel Riethmuller ($196,400) all gain recalls to the bench, alongside newcomers Ethan Lowe ($101,600) and Blake Leary ($148,700).
Broncos v Warriors - Suncorp Stadium 7:00pm 3/6/13
The Broncos have made a number of key changes for their return to Suncorp this week, with four players called into the Queensland squad for Origin 1. Justin Hodges ($362,200), Sam Thaiday ($377,700), Matt Gillett ($349,700) and Corey Parker ($509,500) are all missing, but they do welcome Scott Prince ($264,600) back at five-eighth. Josh Hoffman ($242,000) partners Jordan Kahu ($171,000) in the centres, with Denan Kemp ($127,700) starting on the wing. Scott Anderson ($172,500) will start at prop, with Nick Slyney ($139,000) and Dunamis Lui ($114,500) in the second row. Ben Hunt ($181,700) is back on an extended bench alongside David Hala ($121,500), Jarrod Wallace ($129,300), Jake Granville ($101,600) and winger Aaron Whitchurch ($127,700).
The Warriors have a fairly settled lineup for their trip to Suncorp, with the return of last year’s Dream Team superstar Konrad Hurrell ($298,100) in the centres the only change. He replaced Carlos Tuimavave ($133,800), who is missing with a neck injury. Glen Fisiiahi ($120,600) holds his place on the wing, as does Elijah Taylor ($248,600) at lock, while Dominique Peyroux ($180,900) is on an extended bench. Sam Rapira ($230,000) and Feleti Mateo ($269,600) are both set for a significant price rise with single figure break-evens going into Round 12.
